All fish / Osphronemidae

Vaillant's Chocolate Gourami

Sphaerichthys vaillanti

Also known as vaillant's chocolate gourami, samurai gourami, vaillanti gourami, red chocolate gourami, vaillant's gourami, samurai chocolate gourami, サムライグラミー, sepat coklat, 武士丽丽, 武士巧克力丽丽

A small, shy gourami from Bornean peat swamps in which the female, unusually, is the more colourful sex, showing red flanks with dark bars and green bands. Keepers value it as a showpiece for soft, acidic blackwater tanks with leaf litter and dim lighting.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

24 to 29 °C

pH

4 to 6.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more, or a pair in a species tank

Diet

Carnivore: small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, bloodworm, brine shrimp and cyclops; may accept quality small pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Borneo (Kapuas basin, West Kalimantan, Indonesia)

Breeding

A paternal mouthbrooder: the female courts the male, and he holds the eggs for roughly two weeks before releasing free-swimming fry. Spawning is achievable in very soft, acidic and clean water, but raising fry takes care.

Good to know

Very sensitive to hard or alkaline water and poor water quality, so it suits experienced keepers only. Keep it with calm tankmates only, as it is easily outcompeted and stressed.